The Katsina State Government has disclosed that emerging intelligence indicates the abduction of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (retd.), and his wife was a carefully orchestrated operation carried out by an organised criminal network.
The government said security agencies have intensified efforts to secure the release of the retired military officer, his wife and other victims, as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the Commissioner for Information and Culture, Bala Zango, authorities revealed that preliminary findings suggest the abductors had monitored and tracked the couple from Kaduna before carrying out the attack.
According to the government, the latest intelligence points to a targeted operation rather than a chance encounter, providing investigators with crucial leads to aid ongoing rescue efforts.
Governor Dikko Radda has reportedly directed security agencies to prioritise the operation, expressing confidence that the ongoing investigation would yield positive results.
The state government noted that the level of coordination involved in the abduction reflects changing tactics among criminal groups operating in the region.
As part of efforts to locate the victims and apprehend those responsible, security forces have deployed a combination of intelligence gathering, technological surveillance and coordinated field operations.
Authorities described the incident as an attack on a respected retired military officer who devoted years to serving the nation, stressing that the perpetrators would be identified and prosecuted.
The government also said collaboration among the Nigerian Army, the Police, intelligence services and other security agencies had been strengthened to support the rescue mission.
While appealing to members of the public to provide credible information that could assist ongoing investigations, the state government assured the family of the retired general that every available resource was being deployed to secure the safe release of the victims.
It added that security agencies remain optimistic that the ongoing high-level operation would soon produce a breakthrough.